Two years ago, Sebastian Franck-Love set out to make a name for himself.

He put academic problems behind him and began to focus on being a true student-athlete.

Mira Costa football coach Don Morrow may not have been too aware of him yet, but it wouldn’t be long.

Franck-Love joined the JV team late during his sophomore year once his grades were in order, and didn’t really have the time to make a big splash.

He had a big offseason between his sophomore and junior years and caught the eye of the Mira Costa varsity coaching staff.

He went from a third stringer on the JV team his sophomore year to starter on varsity last year, sharing time in the backfield primarily with star Raphael Lawson-Gayle on a team that went 8-4 and reached the CIF Southern Section Northern Division quarterfinals.

Franck-Love said it was during the first round of the playoffs against Highland — a 35-21 Mira Costa victory — when he learned a lot about himself as a running back.

“I learned my weaknesses and strengths,” he said. “So I knew what to focus on during the offseason. I felt I had to be more comfortable. I was nervous going into games. I learned to relax and let my athletic ability take over.”

He also worked hard in the weight room to get stronger. The 5-foot-10 Franck-Love went from 170 pounds to 188, which has helped him take on the role of being the featured back in Mira Costa’s offense this year.

“It has helped to keep defenders off me,” he said.

Franck-Love has rushed for more than 100 yards in each game this season for the Mustangs (2-2), whose tough nonleague schedule concludes tonight when it plays at Newport Harbor. Then Bay League play starts, when Mira Costa hosts West Torrance — two teams with league title aspirations.

“I think we are one of the best teams out there,” Franck-Love said. “We just have to improve our mental mistakes, and we’re working on that. Most teams should be scared to see us on their schedule.”

Franck-Love has rushed for 743 yards and five touchdowns in four games. He’s well on his way to a 1,000-yard season.

Heck, he could surpass 1,000 yards tonight if he does against Newport Harbor what he did against Loyola last week, which is gain 301 yards on the ground.

Franck-Love had a 75-yard touchdown run on Mira Costa’s second play of the game against Loyola.

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“Everybody was in sync, everybody did what they were supposed to do on that play,” he said.

Morrow wasn’t sure how much of the load Franck-Love could carry going into the season. The running back was nursing a sore hamstring during practices leading up to Week 1, then he fumbled early in Mira Costa’s loss to powerhouse Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks. But he put the fumble behind him and went on to rush for 102 yards on 17 carries. Then he rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns in Mira Costa’s next game, a 36-15 win over Downey.

“He just kept running hard after that early fumble against Notre Dame,” Morrow said. “He got us thinking that he’d be the guy to carry the load. On any given night, he’s shown that he is one of the better players on the field.”

Franck-Love boasts breakaway speed and the strength to bang with defenders.

“If I get upfield, defenses can’t catch me,” he said. “But if I need to put my shoulder down and show you the business, I’ll do it.”

Mira Costa, which featured the veer offense last year, it utilizing the I-formation and a single-back zone offense more this year, which suits Franck-Love better. He’s been effective between the tackles and on the edge.

“He has a burst to him,” Morrow said. “He’s consistently getting to that second level and he’s a big strong kid. The sky is the limit.”

Franck-Love, who played Pop Warner football in Gardena and attends Mira Costa on permit, has his academics in order to the point where he’s even considering law school. But playing NCAA Division I football is his dream.

He’s certainly having the kind of season that will turn some heads.

“I always knew I could be a great player, I just had to get into it,” Franck-Love said. “This year, it’s my turn to explode.”